Percy Sledge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Percy Sledge
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Sledge at the 2010 Alabama Music Hall of Fame Concert
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Percy Tyrone Sledge |
| Born | November 25, 1941 Leighton, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | April 14, 2015 (aged 73) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, traditional pop |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1960–2014 |
| Labels | Atlantic, Capricorn, Monument, Point Blank, Diablo, Sledgehammer, Virgin |
Percy Tyrone Sledge (born November 25, 1941 – died April 14, 2015) was a famous American singer. He sang R&B, soul, and gospel songs. He is most famous for his song "When a Man Loves a Woman". This song became a number one hit in 1966. It sold over a million copies!
Before becoming a singer, Sledge worked at a hospital. He became very successful in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He sang many emotional soul songs. Later in his life, Percy Sledge received a special award for his music career. He was also added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
Biography
Early Music Career
Percy Sledge was born in Leighton, Alabama. Before he became a singer, he worked on farms. He also worked at a hospital in Sheffield, Alabama. On weekends, he sang with a group called the Esquires Combo. They toured around the southeastern United States.
A friend introduced Percy to a music producer named Quin Ivy. Percy got an audition and signed a music contract. His voice was perfect for emotional soul songs. A music writer named Dave Marsh called his songs "emotional classics."
"When a Man Loves a Woman" was the first song Percy recorded. It came out in March 1966. Percy said the idea for the song came after his girlfriend left him. She wanted to start a modeling career. He gave the songwriting credit to his bandmates, Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright.
The song quickly became number one in the U.S. It was also a big hit around the world. It was even popular twice in the UK! It reached number 4 in 1966 and number 2 in 1987. This song was the first gold record for Atlantic Records. It became the most important song of Percy Sledge's career. After this, he had other hits like "Warm and Tender Love" and "Take Time to Know Her".
During the 1970s, Percy Sledge had more hit songs like "I'll Be Your Everything." He became a popular concert performer worldwide. He was especially loved in the Netherlands, Germany, and Africa. He performed about 100 concerts a year in South Africa.
Later Music Career
Percy Sledge's career became popular again in the 1980s. This happened when "When a Man Loves a Woman" was used in a Levi's clothing commercial. The song then went back up the music charts in the UK.
In the early 1990s, singer Michael Bolton also sang "When a Man Loves a Woman." His version became a number one hit too! This happened exactly 25 and a half years after Percy's original song hit number one.
In 1994, Percy Sledge released an album called Blue Night. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1996, it won a Blues Music Award for best soul or blues album.
In 2004, he released another album called Shining Through the Rain. This was before he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In May 2007, Percy was also added to The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In 2011, Sledge toured with Sir Cliff Richard. They performed the song "I'm Your Puppet" together.
Family Life
Percy Sledge was married and had a family. He was survived by his second wife, Rosa Sledge. He had 12 children, and three of them became singers.
Death
Percy Sledge passed away from liver cancer on April 14, 2015. He was 74 years old. He died at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Accolades
Percy Sledge received many honors during his life:
- He was one of the first people to get the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award in 1989.
- He was added to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
- He won the Blues Music Award in 1996 for his album Blue Night.
- He was added to the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
- He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
- He was added to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
- He was added to the Delta Music Museum in Ferriday, Louisiana.
- In 2022, his hometown of Leighton, Alabama, announced an annual event called "Sledgefest" to honor him.
See also
In Spanish: Percy Sledge para niños
